Vehicle

1998 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan

Review

The car is not that bad. I purchased it new. Occassionally the Check engine light flares , due to ethanol fuel. Ethanol is corn,which attracts water. Disconnect the battery, remove the fuel filter, blow out the gas and water,add a bottle of Rubbing alcohol to only 5 gals of gas, reconnect the battery after 5 minutes to reset the ECM.and it's good for the next few weeks. If I can retrofit a glass bowl purge type system ,that might eliminate the water. Also, I just replaced that dual speed fan control switch for $38..and saved plenty. Ford said it'll cost about $800 . That little fan switch controls the A/C vacum doors, power brake boosters, speed control and other do dads. Running good now.

Best Features

Plenty of room, removable seat to help save up to 25% in fuel costs, or use it as a cargo van . Plush seats that fold into a bed. Easy dashboard controls. You can now buy a snap on tent for the rear hatch door, with a flex pipe for the exhaust so you can run the engine for heat. Still get 22mpg

Worst Features

Change the front seats to allow for height control. Eliminate power windows and add a roll down window for the side cargo door.

Vehicle

1998 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan

Review

We bought this with 32,000 miles on it at bank repo lot. Generally dependable. Hit a curb at about 80K and hasn't been the same since. Had struts replaced twice, many alignments, and tires wearing out fast. Now with AC compressor gone out and need for tires and alignment, time to say goodbye at 131,000 miles. Still would rather have an accident in this car than most others--solid body and safe. Hauled a popup and 16' fiberglass travel trailer from TX to FL to VA and around the area with no problems. Carb went in GA but otherwise a good family vehicle... Some paint lamination problems that FORD declined to warrantee at just over 36K. Not happy with Ford about that. Won't go with Ford again.

Best Features

Captains chairs front and second row.

Worst Features

No passenger side rear door--came out with next generation Windstar. BTW, Fords have gone thru a lot of name changes: Taurus looks like an SUV now, 500, Freestar, Freestyle, etc. Confusing!

Vehicle

1998 Ford Windstar 3dr Minivan

Review

Our fam of 5, often drives from Denver to Spokane. We got the windstar after the trans on our explorer went out in the middle of WY, 100's of miles near nothing in the middle of the night. This week on the van we replaced the R&P, for DIY's this is inexpensive but difficult 100.00. And the power steering pump, a little difficult but inexpensive 60.00. The ABS light goes on and off for no reason. Dome lights don't always turn off, and door ajar stays on. Cruise control went out after it surged to 95, like the throddle got stuck. Shifts really hard. Lots of room for the kids, not much room for baggage in the back. You have to drop the engine to change plugs, wires

Best Features

Confortable, roomy for the passengers. Pretty good gas milage on trips. Like that you can take out both rows of seats in the back if you need to. Side pockets in the back for snacks, diapers and toys to keep kids happy. AC.

Worst Features

Wish had a CD player, sterio difficult to change out. And all of the other problems. Hope the Trany doesn't go out on me (since everyone else has that complaint). Paint peeling. Also, there are metric and standard bolts on the engine, sometimes on one part, making it difficult to work on

Vehicle

1998 Ford Windstar GL 3dr Minivan

Review

This car was great at first, but we spend more money on repairs than the car's actual value. Head gasket constant problem, finally died after hitting a pothole, knocking out its transmission. Gears get stuck, jolts when you start it up. Not a smooth ride.

Best Features

Safe. Less likely to roll over, nice car to travel in (when it was brand new).

Worst Features

Goes to to the shop constantly, head gasket always in need of repair, transmission shot after hitting a pothole, gears don't shift. Not the best car in the world.

Vehicle

1998 Ford Windstar Limited 3dr Minivan

Review

I have had seven Windstars over the past decade (presently own three) what can I say. Reliability has been great. Bought a 95 model with 175000 miles now is at 250000 and everything still works. Had gasket and bearing work done but that's about it. Nothing done to tranny or motor on any of the vehicles I have owned. Maybe my day is coming but for now it's been a good van for me.